Zoo Med Paludarium Filter
Zoo Med Paludarium Filter
An adjustable submersible corner filter that dials from 10 up to 60 gallons per hour. The Zoo Med Paludarium Filter is a low-profile, fully submersible corner filter built for paludariums and small aquariums, with a flow dial so you can turn the output down for shrimp, fry or gently-flowing biotopes, or up for a more heavily stocked tank.
Key features
- Adjustable flow dial — turns output down for delicate livestock or up for a fuller bioload, instead of running a single fixed rate.
- Low-profile corner design — mounts horizontally or vertically in a corner, taking up minimal footprint in a small paludarium.
- Easy-open cartridge door — change the filter cartridge without lifting the whole unit out of the water.
- Spray bar included, with an outflow arm that rotates 90° so you can aim the return where you need it.
- Extra-long 3 m (9.8') cord for placement flexibility away from the power point.
Specifications
| Model | SKU | Rated flow (adjustable) | Suits up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paludarium Filter 10 | ZM403 | 10–40 GPH (38–151 L/h) | 10 gallons (38 L) |
| Paludarium Filter 20 | ZM404 | 20–60 GPH (76–227 L/h) | 20 gallons (76 L) |
Zoo Med does not publish a wattage figure or a flow-with-media-loaded figure for this filter — the ranges above are the rated adjustable output.
Will it fit my tank?
Size to your water volume, not just your footprint: the 10-model suits tanks up to about 10 gallons (38 L), the 20-model up to about 20 gallons (76 L). Both mount low in a corner, horizontally or vertically, so either will tuck into a small paludarium without crowding the land area.
Which model do I need?
If you're running a nano paludarium or a small vivarium water feature under about 10 gallons, the Filter 10 covers it and lets you dial the flow right down for fry or shrimp. For anything from 10 up to 20 gallons, or if you want the option to run at a higher flow, step up to the Filter 20.
What's included
The filter unit, spray bar and outflow arm. A starter filter cartridge is fitted; replacement cartridges are sold separately.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for paludariums, vivarium water features and small freshwater aquariums up to the rated volume. Not suitable as the sole filtration on a heavily stocked full aquarium at the top of its rated range — for that, run it as supplementary filtration alongside a primary filter.
Care and maintenance
Open the cartridge door to check and rinse or replace the media regularly — flow drops off as the cartridge loads up, well before the "up to" figure in the specifications above.
Safety
Fully submersible and mains-powered — keep the plug and cord outside the enclosure and above any water line, and use a drip loop.
Warranty and delivery
Contact us if the unit arrives faulty. Replacement cartridges are sold separately.
Common questions
Can I turn the flow down for shrimp or fry?
Yes — the flow dial adjusts output across the full rated range, so you can run it gently for delicate livestock.
Does it come with a filter cartridge?
Yes, a starter cartridge is fitted; replacements are sold separately.
Can I mount it vertically instead of flat in the corner?
Yes, both models mount horizontally or vertically.
What's the difference between the two models?
Rated flow and tank size: the Filter 10 suits up to 10 gallons at 10–40 GPH, the Filter 20 suits up to 20 gallons at 20–60 GPH.
